How should individuals in society respond to government-imposed vaccinations?

Principles of Microeconomics
7th Edition
ISBN:9781305156050
Author:N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:N. Gregory Mankiw
Chapter10: Externalities
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How should individuals in society respond to government-imposed vaccinations?
"For more than a year, countries around the world have seen
the effects of COVID-19 first-hand. Globally, nearly 5 million
people have died from effects of the virus. Individuals should
not be allowed to decide whether or not they should be
vaccinated. Such an important decision must be made by the
government because they are responsible for public health
and safety. This virus is more dangerous for some people
than others and the newer variants can spread even more
quickly than the original. Even though vaccines are not 100%
effective, unvaccinated people not only put at-risk individuals
and everyone else in danger, but are 60 times more likely to
end up in the ICU if they get COVID."
Speaker 1
"We cannot let the government impose vaccination on
individuals. We do not yet know what the long-term effects
vaccines will have on the people who receive it, because
COVID vaccines have been available for less than a year.
Even if the risk of serious side-effects is very small, that risk
still exists. Each person has the constitutional right to make
health decisions for themselves; the decision to be vaccinated
- or not - is too important to be made by the government. If
we follow all public health restrictions and limit our social
contacts, we should be free to choose."
Speaker 2
Transcribed Image Text:"For more than a year, countries around the world have seen the effects of COVID-19 first-hand. Globally, nearly 5 million people have died from effects of the virus. Individuals should not be allowed to decide whether or not they should be vaccinated. Such an important decision must be made by the government because they are responsible for public health and safety. This virus is more dangerous for some people than others and the newer variants can spread even more quickly than the original. Even though vaccines are not 100% effective, unvaccinated people not only put at-risk individuals and everyone else in danger, but are 60 times more likely to end up in the ICU if they get COVID." Speaker 1 "We cannot let the government impose vaccination on individuals. We do not yet know what the long-term effects vaccines will have on the people who receive it, because COVID vaccines have been available for less than a year. Even if the risk of serious side-effects is very small, that risk still exists. Each person has the constitutional right to make health decisions for themselves; the decision to be vaccinated - or not - is too important to be made by the government. If we follow all public health restrictions and limit our social contacts, we should be free to choose." Speaker 2
"I work as a doctor in the local hospital. I see the suffering of
the patients with COVID-19 and the immense strain this has
put on our healthcare system. I am worried, too, for my
patients who have had important medical procedures delayed
- again because medical staff have been shifted to support
COVID patients. However, it is difficult for me to decide as a
healthcare professional whether or not the government
should force people to be vaccinated. I dislike letting the
government tell us what to do, but I want to do what is best
for society.We run the risk of making those who are
vaccine-hesitant less trusting of the government, not more.
Maybe we should focus on encouraging individuals to speak
with their doctor and provide them with the best information
possible. Then it would be up to each person to decide what
is best for their own health. "
Speaker 3
Transcribed Image Text:"I work as a doctor in the local hospital. I see the suffering of the patients with COVID-19 and the immense strain this has put on our healthcare system. I am worried, too, for my patients who have had important medical procedures delayed - again because medical staff have been shifted to support COVID patients. However, it is difficult for me to decide as a healthcare professional whether or not the government should force people to be vaccinated. I dislike letting the government tell us what to do, but I want to do what is best for society.We run the risk of making those who are vaccine-hesitant less trusting of the government, not more. Maybe we should focus on encouraging individuals to speak with their doctor and provide them with the best information possible. Then it would be up to each person to decide what is best for their own health. " Speaker 3
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